Constitutional goal to provide free and speedy justice yet to be achieved: Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam

Though we have become citizens of independent India, the constitutional goal to provide an effective, free and speedy legal dispute redressal forum is yet to be achieved, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice (CJ) TS Sivagnanam said on Tuesday..The Chief Justice said that the courts are tasked with the special duty to ensure the citizens get access to justice."Though we have achieved independence and have become citizens of independent India but the constitutional goals for extending free, speedy and effective legal dispute redressal forum to our citizens is in the process of achieving," CJ Sivagnanam said.He called upon the judges and lawyers to play their role in ensuring that all citizens get access to basic amenities."There is no doubt that democratic values can be protected only if we ensure that are citizens are getting access to basic amenities. This places a special duty on both the judges and lawyers who are often called upon to play pivotal roles in resolving disputes about resource allocation," he stated. .CJ Sivagnanam was addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag in the High Court premises on the occasion of the Independence Day. In his speech, the judge opined that celebrating Independence Day is not just another symbolic occasion but is a reminder on the important part of our identity as citizens of the world's largest democracy.He also highlighted the 'achievements' of the Calcutta High Court in the past one year. "Today, I believe is the right day to take stock of the achievements of the State Judiciary. I would like to point out that from August 1, 2022 till July 31, 2023, in the past one year, the number of cases disposed by the High Court were much higher than the case instituted. In this period, a total of 75,690 cases were instituted in the High Court whereas a total of 91, 521 cases were disposed of. This is indeed a great achievement. We must congratulate ourselves," the CJ underscored.The backlog in the district judiciary has increased up to 24 lakh, the CJ pointed out, adding that all endeavours are being undertaken to bring down the numbers.Further, the CJ revealed that in the said one year period, out of the total 268 vacancies, at least 230 have already been filled up.As per directives of the Supreme Court, out of 7 courts designated to hear cases under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, three courts have already started functioning while the West Bengal government has further proposed to provide nine more such courts, the CJ pointed out.